IP-enabled information delivery

ABSTRACT

A method, system, and computer readable medium comprising instructions for providing Internet protocol enabled information delivery are provided. Information from a calling party is received at an Internet protocol enabled device. A lookup of information relating to the calling party is performed in a database via an Internet protocol connection. A message is received from the database comprising information relating to the calling party.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/939,782, entitled “IP-ENABLED INFORMATION DELIVERY”, filed on Jul.11, 2013, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 9,125,033, issued on Sep. 1, 2015,which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/974,944 entitled“IP-ENABLED INFORMATION DELIVERY”, filed on Oct. 17, 2007, now issuedU.S. Pat. No. 8,488,754, issued on Jul. 16, 2013, incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is generally related to a communications network,and more particularly to a system, method, and computer readable mediumcomprising instructions for IP-enabled information delivery in acommunications network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Automatic Number Identification (ANI) is a system utilized by telephonecompanies to identify the Directory Number (DN) of a calling subscriber.ANI serves a function similar to Caller ID, but may utilize differentunderlying technology. In addition, although Caller ID can be blocked byprefixing a call with *67, for example, ANI is (usually) impossible toblock. ANI was originally developed for telephone company billingpurposes and is now offered to commercial customers who may benefit fromknowing who is calling them. In addition, ANI is one of the coretechnologies behind the 911 emergency service.

In commercial applications, a user may have an integrated or extraneousdisplay affixed to a telephone. Such a display presents the ANI ortelephone number of the calling party. In addition, the display maypresent the caller's name or calling name, also known as CNAM. However,as the popularity of mobile devices increases, demand for wirelessdelivery of such calling information also increases. As such, a needexists for providing wireless calling information, including wirelesscalling name, by wireless device, such as a wireless IP-enabled phone.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure describes a system, method, and computer readablemedium comprising instructions for IP-enabled information delivery.Information from a calling party is received at an Internet protocolenabled device. Software for identifying the calling party is retrieved.A lookup of information relating to the calling party is performed in adatabase via an Internet protocol connection. A message is received fromthe database comprising information relating to the calling party.Downloading of the software is determined based on a type of the device.

In one embodiment, an identifier of the calling party is received. Theidentifier of the calling party includes at least one of a calling partyand a called party. A query for information relating to the callingparty is sent via an Internet protocol connection to the database basedon the identifier. A determination is made if the identifier is locatedin the database. Information relating to the calling party is returnedfrom the database.

The present disclosure also provides a system for IP enabled informationdelivery. The system comprises at least one Internet protocol enableddevice for receiving information from a calling party, at least onecalling name database for storing information relating to the callingparty, the at least one database is communicably coupled to the at leastone wireless Internet protocol enabled device, and at least one Webdatabase for storing a software for identifying the calling party, theat least one Web database communicably coupled to the at least onewireless Internet protocol enabled device via the Internet. The at leastone Internet protocol enabled device is operable to receive informationfrom the calling party, perform a lookup of information relating to thecalling party in a database via an Internet protocol connection, andreceive a message from the at least one database.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a system for wireless IP-enabled information delivery inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart of a process for IP-enabled informationdelivery in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a process for updating calling informationbased on a change in the database in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present disclosure; and

FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart of a process for periodic update of callinginformation in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides IP-enabled information delivery to calledparties. In the context of the present disclosure, a calling party is aparty initiating or sending a call. A called party is a party receivingthe call. Such a process is initiated when a calling party contacts acalled party wherein the calling party and the called party each use atleast one electronic device and the called party is able to receive ANIor Caller ID service and is able to display related information to suchservice. The at least one electronic device is at least one of acomputer, a server, a wireless phone, an Internet Protocol (IP) enabledphone, a wireless IP-enabled phone, or a device that can receive and/ortransmit information. The computer readable medium (or software) of thepresent invention is stored on and/or runs on at least one of the abovementioned electronic devices.

FIG. 1 depicts a system 100 for wireless IP-enabled information deliveryin accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. System 100includes a wireless IP-enabled device 102, such as a wireless IP-enabledphone. Wireless IP-enabled device 102 may include a display 104 fordisplaying calling information to a user. In this embodiment, thedisplay 104 is integrated within the wireless IP-enabled device 102.However, the display 104 may be implemented as a standalone device thatis communicably coupled with the device 102 without departing the spiritand scope of the present disclosure.

In addition, wireless IP-enabled device 102 may receive information froma plurality of sources including public switched telephone network(PSTN) 106 which includes a central office 108 communicably coupled to acalling party device 110. Other sources include a wireless network ordata network (not shown) supporting other devices such as a computer orIP enabled phones.

When a calling party initiates a call using calling party device 110,wireless IP-enabled device 102 receives an ANI or other identifier ofthe calling party, such as an IF address or other data identifying thecalling party or the calling party device, such as a unique ID of thedevice. The identifier includes at least one of a calling party and acalled party. In turn, the wireless IP enabled device 102 sends a queryto a CNAM database 112 or other database 114 via an Internet protocolconnection to perform a lookup of the called number in the database. TheCNAM database 112 or other database 114 determines if the subscriber ofthe called number is a paying subscriber. To determine if the subscriberis a paying subscriber, the CNAM database 112 or other database 114 maysend information of the called number, including, the called party name,a credit card number, or a zipcode, to another database forverification. If the verification is acceptable, the CNAM database 112or other database 114 then returns a response to the wireless IP-enableddevice 102.

If the subscriber of the called number is a paying subscriber, wirelessIP-enabled device 102 determines if a software download is necessarybased on the type of the device. For example, wireless IP-enabled device102 may determine that a software download is necessary in order toobtain calling information based on the ANI. Alternatively, if thesoftware for obtaining calling information is already stored in thewireless IP-enabled device, 102, no software download may be necessary.If the wireless IP-enabled device 102 determines that a softwaredownload is necessary, the wireless IP-enabled device 102 initiates thesoftware download either directly from a Web database 118 or via anetwork, such as the Internet 120.

After the software is downloaded or stored in the wireless IP-enabledevice 102, the wireless IP-enabled device 102 recognizes the ANI orother identifier of the calling party from the calling party device 110.The ANI or other identifier of the calling party may comprise a 10 digitnumber, such as a telephone number. In response to recognizing the ANIor other identifier of the calling party, the wireless IP-enabled device102 sends the ANI or identifier of the calling party to the CNAMdatabase 112 or other database 114 to perform a lookup of the callingnumber and such number is provided to the wireless IP enabled device102.

In response to receiving the ANI or other identifier of the callingparty, the present invention further permits the CNAM database 112 orother database 114 to perform a lookup of the calling number forinformation associated with the calling number via an Internet Protocolconnection and in response, would return a message to the wirelessIP-enabled device 102. In one example, the message may include an 11 ormore digit number that indicates the caller's phone number, as well asthe caller's name, city, and/or state. In addition, the message mayinclude additional calling information such as alerts in response to anoccurrence of an event, informative and promotional information from aservice provider, and situational information from an emergency serviceprovider. Furthermore, the message may include other informationrelating to the calling party, such as a name, a city, a state, anaddress, a hyperlink, a photo, a video, and any information that can besent via an Internet Protocol connection.

An example of alerts in response to an occurrence of an event mayinvolve a called party who has ordered a refill of prescription from apharmacy. When the prescription is ready for pickup, the pharmacy mayinitiate a call to the wireless IPenabled device 102. The CNAM database112 or other database 114 may return a message to device 102 intendedfor the called party. The message may indicate that the prescription isready for pickup in addition to the pharmacy's name and telephonenumber. Also, the message may include helpful information includingdirections to the pharmacy, operating hours of the pharmacy, allergicreactions to the prescription, web sites for additional informationabout the prescription and/or the affliction the prescription isintending to solve, links to such web sites that can be accesseddirectly from one or more of the displays, and coupons or codes for usewith the prescription and/or for other items in the pharmacy that can beused in person and/or on-line.

An example of informative and promotional information from a serviceprovider may involve a called party who is subscribed to televisioncable service from a cable company. The cable company may initiate acall upon issuance of a new bill to the wireless IP-enabled device. TheCNAM database 112 or other database 114 may return a message to device102 intended for the called party. The message may indicate that a billis ready for review in addition to the company's name and telephonenumber. In addition, the message may include promotional information,such as television shows that are scheduled for the evening or moviesready for order by the called party.

An example of situational information from a service provider mayinvolve a tornado that is heading towards a called party. The emergencyservice provider, such as the police or fire department, may initiate acall to called party's wireless IP-enabled device 102 which may belocated at the called party's residence. The CNAN database 116 or otherdatabase 118 may return an emergency message to device 102 intended forthe called party. The message may indicate that a tornado is headingtowards the residence in addition to the emergency service provider'sname and telephone number. Also, the message may include the locationand speed of the tornado based on the latest data and directions tonearby tornado shelters or other information related to the event.

Alternatively, if the ANI or other identifier of the calling partymatches a calling number already exists in the wireless IP-enableddevice 102, the wireless IP-enabled device 102 may determine that alookup is not necessary. In this case, stored information associatedwith the calling number will be retrieved from the wireless IP-enableddevice 102 and displayed to the called party via display 104.

In addition, if the information associated with the calling party,including calling name, is changed in the CNAN database 112 or otherdatabase 114, the wireless IP-enabled device 102 may send a query forupdated information associated with the calling number to CNAM 112 orother database 114. Continuing with the prescription example, thewireless IP-enabled device 102 may recognize that a reorder of theprescription is necessary based on the information stored in the device.The wireless IP-enabled device 102 may send a query to CNAM database 112or other database 114 for the updated caller's number, name, city,state, or other information such that the called party may use theupdated information as well as the reminder in the message to reorderthe prescription.

Another example of updated information associated with the callingnumber may involve the change of city and/or state of the calling numberin the CNAM database 112 or other database 114. The wireless IP-enableddevice 102 may send a query for the updated city and/or state associatedwith the calling number to CNAM database 112 or other database 114. TheCNAM database 112 or other database 114 may return the updatedinformation associated with the calling number to the wirelessIP-enabled device 102.

Alternative to sending a query in response to a change of information,the wireless IP-enabled device 102 may perform a periodic update ofcalling information from the CNAM database 112 or other database 114.For example, the wireless IP-enabled device 102 may perform an update ofcalling information associated with the calling number by sending aquery to the database hourly, daily, weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, yearly,or after any predetermined period of time.

Referring to FIG. 2, a flowchart of a process (which includes a methodor computer readable medium comprising instructions) for IP-enabledinformation delivery is depicted in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present disclosure. Process 200 begins at step 202 with receivingthe ANI or identifier of the calling party at the wireless IP-enableddevice. The identifier includes at least one of a calling party and acalled party. Next, the process 200 continues to step 204 to query theCNAN database or other database of the called number via an Internetprotocol connection. Process 200 then continues to step 206 to determineif the subscriber of the called number is a paying subscriber. This stepmay be accomplished by sending information of the called number toanother database or website for verification. If the subscriber is not apaying customer, the process terminates.

If the subscriber is a paying customer, the process 200 continues tostep 208 to initiate a software download either directly from a databaseor via the Internet. Otherwise, process 200 continues to step 210 torecognize the ANI or identifier of the calling party and delivering theANI to the device. Process 200 then continues to step 212 to query theCNAN database or other database for information associated with thecalling number via an Internet protocol connection. Examples ofinformation include the caller's number, name, city, state, an address,a text, a video, a hyperlink, or any other information that may be sentvia the Internet protocol connection. Process 200 then completes at step214 to receive a message from the CNAN database or other database withinformation associated with the calling number.

As discussed above, a change of information in the database may triggerthe wireless IP-enabled device to update calling information. Referringto FIG. 3, a flowchart of a process for updating calling informationbased on a change in the database is depicted in accordance with oneembodiment of the present disclosure. Process 300 begins at step 302with changing of information in a CNAN or other database. Examples ofinformation changed in the database include caller's name, address,city, state, and the like. Process 300 then continues to step 304 tosend a query to CNAM database or other database for the updatedinformation via an Internet protocol connection. Process 300 thencompletes at step 306 to receive the updated information from the CNAMdatabase or other database.

Although an exemplary embodiment of the system, method, and computerreadable medium of the present disclosure has been illustrated in theaccompanied drawings and described in the foregoing detaileddescription, it will be understood that the invention is not limited tothe embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements,modifications, and substitutions without departing from the spirit andscope of the present disclosure as set forth and defined by thefollowing claims. For example, a greater or lesser numbers of elements,modules, hardware, software, and/or firmware can be used to provideIP-enabled information delivery without departing from the spirit andscope of the present invention. Also, the wireless IP-enabled device maybe a wireless mobile phone, a personal digital assistant, a cellularphone, an IP-enabled caller ID device, or a wired telephone that has IPcommunication capabilities.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: sending, by a calledInternet Protocol enabled device, a query for information relating to acalling party to a database based on an Automatic Number Identification(ANI)-related identifier of the calling party; determining, by theInternet Protocol enabled device, whether a software program download isnecessary for the Internet Protocol enabled device to recognize theidentifier; downloading, by the Internet Protocol enabled device, thesoftware program when the download is necessary; and detecting, by theInternet Protocol enabled device, that information related to thesoftware program download has been changed, and in response: sending aquery for updated information to the database.
 2. The method of claim 1,comprising receiving an identifier, by the Internet Protocol enableddevice, of a called party.
 3. The method of claim 1, comprisingdetermining, by the Internet Protocol enabled device, whether a callednumber is a paying subscriber by verifying with a database or a Website,wherein if the called number is not a paying subscriber then forgoingdownloading, by the Internet Protocol enabled device, the softwareprogram.
 4. The method of claim 1 comprising receiving a message fromthe database, by the Internet Protocol enabled device, comprisinginformation relating to the calling party.
 5. The method of claim 1,further comprising at least one of: determining, by the InternetProtocol enabled device, whether the identifier is located in thedatabase; returning, by the Internet Protocol enabled device,information from the database relating to the calling party if theidentifier is located in the database; and not returning, by theInternet Protocol enabled device, information from the database relatingto the calling party if the identifier is not located in the database.6. The method of claim 2, further comprising at least one of: matchingthe identifier of the calling party against a plurality of identifiersstored in the Internet Protocol enabled device by said device; andretrieving information relating to the calling party by the InternetProtocol enabled device when a match exists.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein the database is at least one of a calling name database andanother database.
 8. The method of claim 1, comprising displaying, bythe Internet Protocol enabled device, the information relating to thecalling party on a display of the Internet Protocol enabled device. 9.The method of claim 1, wherein the information relating to the callingparty comprises at least one of a telephone number of the calling party,a name, a city, a state, an address, a photo, a video, a text, ahyperlink, and any other information that can be sent via the InternetProtocol connection.
 10. A system, comprising: at least one calledInternet Protocol enabled device; at least one database configured tostore information relating to a calling party, wherein the at least onedatabase is communicably coupled to the at least one Internet Protocolenabled device; and at least one database configured to store a softwareprogram to identify the calling party, wherein the at least one databaseis communicably coupled to the at least one Internet Protocol enableddevice; wherein the at least one called Internet Protocol enabled deviceis configured to: send a query for information relating to the callingparty to the database based on an Automatic Number Identification(ANI)-related identifier of the calling party; determine whether asoftware program download is necessary for the Internet Protocol enableddevice to recognize the identifier; and download the software programfrom the database when the download is necessary and detect, by theInternet Protocol enabled device, that information related to thesoftware program download has been changed, and in response: send aquery for updated information to the database.
 11. The system of claim10, wherein the at least one Internet Protocol enabled device isconfigured to perform a lookup of information relating to the callingparty.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one InternetProtocol enabled device is further configured to determine whether theidentifier is located in the database, return information from thedatabase relating to the calling party when the identifier is located inthe database, and not return information from the database relating tothe calling party if the identifier is not located in the database. 13.The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one Internet Protocolenabled device is further configured to match the identifier of thecalling party against a plurality of identifiers stored in the InternetProtocol enabled device, and retrieve information relating to thecalling party from the Internet Protocol enabled device when a matchexists.
 14. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one database isat least one of a calling name database and another database.
 15. Thesystem of claim 10, wherein the at least one Internet Protocol enableddevice is further configured to display the information relating to thecalling party on a display of the Internet Protocol enabled device. 16.The system of claim 10, wherein the information relating to the callingparty comprises at least one of a telephone number of the calling party,a name, a city, a state, an address, a photo, a video, a text, ahyperlink, and any other information that can be sent via the InternetProtocol connection.
 17. A non-transitory computer readable mediumcomprising instructions for: sending, by a called Internet Protocolenabled device, a query for information relating to a calling party to adatabase based on an Automatic Number Identification (ANI)-relatedidentifier of the calling party; determining, by the Internet Protocolenabled device, whether a software program download is necessary for theInternet Protocol enabled device to recognize the identifier; anddownloading, by the Internet Protocol enabled device, the softwareprogram when the download is necessary; and detecting, by the InternetProtocol enabled device, that forma ion related to the software programdownload has been changed, and in response: sending a query for updatedinformation to the database.
 18. The non-transitory computer readablemedium of claim 17 comprising instructions for receiving a message fromthe database, by the Internet Protocol enabled device, comprisinginformation relating to the calling party.
 19. The non-transitorycomputer readable medium of claim 17 comprising instructions for:determining whether the identifier is located in the database; returninginformation from the database relating to the calling party when theidentifier is located in the database; and not returning, by theInternet Protocol enabled device, information from the database relatingto the calling party if the identifier is not located in the database.20. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 17 comprisinginstructions for: displaying the information relating to the callingparty on a display of the Internet Protocol enabled device.